The 5 Best Luxury Vacation Homes in California

Recent visitors to Haute Retreats have characterized a through-line that distinguishes the extraordinary from the ordinary: considerate privacy, seamless indoor-outdoor flow, hotel-level service, and cinematic views. Travelers looking to rent luxury vacation homes in California want more than just square footage; they want homes that beautifully set the scene for everything from late-night swims to morning espresso. Well-equipped kitchens for chef nights, terraces placed for golden hour, and designs that allow friends and family to move freely between the living room, pool, and dining terrace were frequent highlights of post-stay feedback. These features are exactly what the best luxury vacation homes in California offer.

Highlights we’ve heard again and again

• Lounge-ready pools, shady terraces, and sliding glass walls are all examples of seamless living.
• “Everything works”: AV, lighting, climate, and security all work in unison.
• The main suites are designed to feel like spa lofts, and each guest has a real en suite bedroom.
• The best luxury vacation homes in California attract repeat guests because of their location clarity, which allows you to enjoy the beach when you want it and the city energy when you don.

The 5 best addresses now

Here are five exceptional properties that have recently been listed or renovated. They were chosen based on their design, location, and the relaxed, confident vibe that characterizes the best luxury vacation homes in California.

1) The Lake Villa — Lake Hollywood, Los Angeles

The Hollywood Sign is framed like a living postcard by a contemporary farmhouse situated above the reservoir. Natural textures soften clean lines inside, while lawns and terraces outside invite alfresco dining and stargazing. The layout emphasizes flow, so entertaining never feels staged. The kitchen, dining area, and lounge all flow together as one. This is the city-view haven that still feels like home among the luxury vacation homes in California.

• Ideal for: Private screenings, family vacations, and film festival weeks.
• The vibe is modern, subtly glitzy, and focused on chasing sunsets.
• Highlights include the wine cellar, home theater, gym, and glass walls that disappear into the garden.
• Starting price: Depending on the season, starting at around $2,550 per night.

Click here to discover The Lake Villa

2) The Lomitas Mansion — Beverly Hills

A double-height foyer opens into light-filled, art-ready walls and a series of rooms arranged around poolside living in this elegant Beverly Hills home. The great room and terraces read as a single salon with the doors pocketed away. This address strikes a balance between spectacle and practicality for tourists looking at luxury vacation homes in California for milestone events.

• Ideal for: Stylish parties, business creatives, and extended weekends that result in lengthy tales.
• The atmosphere is resort-casual, spotlessly clean, and flawlessly serviced.
• Highlights include the chef’s kitchen with Gaggenau, the separate guest house, and the rooftop lounge.
• Starting price: Depending on the season, starting at roughly $5,500 per night.

Click here to discover The Lomitas Mansion

3) The Ellison Villa — Beverly Hills

The Ellison Villa is a glass and light pavilion perched at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac above the city. The entry is crowned by a retractable skylight, and at night, an infinity edge glows like a sculpture, pooling the sky during the day. When the glass is open, it exudes poise; when it’s closed, it exudes a quiet, gallery-like tranquility. This is one of the best luxury vacation homes in California for design enthusiasts.

• Ideal for: Couples’ getaways, wellness weekends, and stylish parties.
• The vibe is view-led, meditative, and modernist.
• Highlights: spa-like suites, a covered outdoor living area, and flawless indoor-outdoor choreography.
• Starting price: Depending on the season, starting at roughly $5,000 per night.

Click here to discover The Ellison Villa

4) The Placid Villa — Malibu

Near Malibu’s southern tip, where morning coffee is served with views of islands and whitewater, three levels are suspended over the sand. Every hour feels light and airy thanks to skylights and clerestories that bring natural light deep into the design. The Placid Villa provides the quintessential oceanfront dream if your list of luxury vacation homes in California leans toward the coast.

• Ideal for: Families who come first to the beach, early-morning surfers, and terrace dinners at sunset.
• The vibe is sharp, beachy, and meticulous.
• Highlights include suites with views of the ocean, airy balconies on every floor, and living close to the beach.
• Starting price: Depending on the season, starting at around $2,800 per night.

Click here to discover The Placid Villa

5) The Carla Mansion — Trousdale, Beverly Hills

Trousdale drama with a sense of balance: rooms are scaled for reality, but views stretch from the Pacific to the city lights. The social center is anchored by a SieMatic kitchen, and long nights are set in motion by a dedicated bar and temperature-controlled cellar. The Carla Mansion responds calmly to tourists looking for luxury vacation homes in California with plenty of entertainment options.

• Ideal for: Off-site brand events, multigenerational vacations, and black-tie birthdays.
• Feeling: opulent architecture, subtly advanced technology, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
• Highlights include the Zen courtyard, theater and game room, and negative-edge pool and spa.
• Starting price: Depending on the season, starting at roughly $6,750 per night.

Click here to discover The Carla Mansion

How to choose the right home (quick framework)

When you decide what should be the daily rhythm, choosing among luxury vacation homes in California becomes simpler:

• Skyline or beach? Make a shortlist of luxury vacation homes in California, such as Malibu, if salt and sand are what you need to feel rejuvenated. Select Beverly Hills residences with easy access to the city if you plan to spend days in studios, galleries, or on Rodeo Drive.
• Having fun or running away? A layered great room, outdoor kitchen, and dining terraces are ideal for entertaining. In luxury vacation homes in California, where light and privacy are the luxuries, select quieter court-yard plans and spa-style suites for restoration.
• Stillness or motion? Morning rituals: lap pool and gym? Or a pergola with shade, books, and loungers? By wellness priorities, filter luxury vacation homes in California.
• Length of stay: For extended reservations, give priority to fully equipped bedrooms, two dishwashers, ample storage, and comfortable laundry.

What do the best homes cost?

Season, duration of stay, local events, and staffing all affect rates. Luxury vacation homes in California as of right now, in a nutshell:

• The Lake Villa: starting at about $2,550 per night.
• The Placid Villa: around $2,800 per night.
• The Ellison Villa: starting at about $5,000 per night.
• The Lomitas Mansion: approximately $5,500 per night.
• The Carla Mansion: starting at about $6,750 per night.

Holidays, summer weekends, award-season weeks, and major festivals are prime times to book, but midweek and shoulder-season dates can be more affordable, particularly for longer stays at luxury vacation homes in California.

Best locations & when to go

Both Malibu and Los Angeles have year-round appeal; Malibu amplifies the beach rituals, while Beverly Hills is perfect for dining, shopping, and galleries. Santa Barbara and Montecito offer a more relaxed coastal pace, while Palm Desert combines golf and spa time with blue-sky winters. While June through September are the busiest months for luxury vacation homes in California, spring and fall offer warmer weather, softer light, and fewer people.

Quick comparisons (who each home suits)

• For visitors who value architectural tranquility in luxury vacation homes in California, look no further than The Ellison Villa (poised, meditative Beverly Hills energy).
• The Lomitas Mansion is a large, social floor plan that seamlessly transitions from the foyer to the pool for gatherings and receptions.
• For those seeking luxury vacation homes in California where the tide serves as the background music, consider The Placid Villa.
• The Lake Villa, a contemporary classic with the Sign framed, is ideal for families and movie buffs seeking daily comfort.
• For those in need of luxury vacation homes in California with exceptional hosting credentials, look no further than The Carla Mansion, an entertainer’s perch in Trousdale.

FAQs

How far ahead of time should I make my reservation? For the best luxury vacation homes in California, make your reservations 6–9 months in advance for the busiest times; midweek and shoulder seasons are better for last-minute success.
Can you set up wellness, drivers, and a chef? Yes, Haute Retreats arranges for private chefs, drivers, childcare, spa treatments, and experiences in luxury vacation homes in California that are specifically catered to your schedule.
Do you have to stay for a week? Many luxury vacation homes in California offer flexible lengths outside of event weeks and holidays; minimums vary by home and season.

What’s included & what to add

Private chefs, provisioning, chauffeurs, and childcare can be arranged for luxury vacation homes in California. The majority of homes include housekeeping and concierge coordination. We frequently add tasting menus, gallery previews, winery day trips, and yacht charters to milestone trips—unique, one-of-a-kind features that transform luxury vacation homes in California into your personal little hotel. To ensure a seamless first sunset at your luxury vacation homes in California, inquire about pre-arrival stocking.

Arrival logistics & privacy

For rhythm, location is important. Luxury vacation homes in California are frequently situated on peaceful cul-de-sacs or behind gates; some of them open directly onto the beach. Anticipate garage parking that constantly comes and goes off-stage, discrete service paths, and smart entry systems. Request site plans if complete seclusion is a top priority. Haute Retreats will connect you with luxury vacation homes in California that allow you to have evenings entirely to yourself and beach days open to the public.

Sustainability touches you’ll notice

New-build luxury vacation homes in California increasingly strike a balance between drama and responsibility, from energy-efficient glazing and clever shading to drought-wise landscaping. When possible, request solar-powered pools, EV chargers, and composting facilities.

Why book with Haute Retreats

Luxury vacation homes in California feel effortless from the first message because a single point of contact handles all the details, including pre-arrival menus, drivers, wellness, and on-the-ground support. The end result is a shortlist of luxury vacation homes in California where the pictures and reality match. Our California specialists preview homes, vet staff, and road-test itineraries.

Click here to know more California Villas

Nearby experiences to weave in

• The city-energy side of luxury vacation homes in California includes private studio tours, perfumery blending labs, and reservations at tasting-menu temples.
• The sea-breezy side of luxury vacation homes in California is Malibu, which offers dawn surfing lessons, coastal hikes, and barefoot lunches at the pier.
• Wellness mornings, golf in the winter sun, and desert art installations—an inland contrast to luxury vacation homes in California.

More FAQs

Does the pool have heating? We’ll check the specifics for your preferred luxury vacation homes in California.
Can we have a brand event or microwedding? With prior authorization, vendor lists, and security plans, most luxury vacation homes in California allow events.
Are taxes and services included in the rates? We’ll show you the total cost up front before you make a reservation. Quotes for luxury vacation homes in California are typically provided before taxes and optional services.

A 3-day sample itinerary (idea)

Arrival and reset on Day 1: Land at LAX or BUR. After unpacking in your villa while the sun warms the terrace, enjoy a chef-prepared tasting menu and California red wines as the evening wears on.
Day 2: Coast & City: A stroll around Lake Hollywood or Temescal Canyon in the morning; a late lunch at a Malibu beach; swimming in the golden hour and watching a movie at home.
Day 3: Art and well-being A relaxing massage at home, a sunset toast from the rooftop or balcony overlooking the ocean, and private gallery visits in Culver City. Either barefoot or in black tie,

Conclusion
Are you prepared to organize your trip to California? Our Haute Retreats experts will shortlist the ideal residences, verify availability and prices, and create a smooth itinerary around your stay once you provide your dates, number of guests, and desired amenities.